Anambra Bans Unauthorized Speed Bumps, Orders Removal of Existing Ones

The Anambra State Government has announced a ban on the construction of speed bumps on public roads and declared that unauthorized speed breakers already erected across the state will be removed.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, announced this during an inspection of ongoing road projects across the state.

According to the commissioner, the indiscriminate construction of speed bumps by individuals, communities, associations and private organisations has contributed to the deterioration of roads and affected smooth traffic movement.

He said no individual or group has the authority to construct speed breakers on public roads without government approval, warning that anyone who violates the directive could face prosecution.

Ezeobi explained that the government is investing heavily in the construction and rehabilitation of roads and must therefore protect the lifespan of the infrastructure. He noted that poorly designed or illegally constructed speed bumps could damage road surfaces, increase maintenance costs and create traffic hazards.

The government, he said, would deploy approved engineering solutions and lawful traffic calming measures where necessary.

The announcement has, however, generated mixed reactions among residents and motorists. While some welcomed the decision, citing damage to vehicles and traffic disruptions caused by unauthorized speed bumps, others expressed concern that their removal could increase speeding and road crashes in residential areas, near schools, markets and other densely populated locations.

Some residents have called on the government to replace illegal speed bumps with professionally designed traffic calming measures such as rumble strips, pedestrian crossings, warning signs, traffic lights and speed cameras where appropriate.

Road safety advocates have also stressed that traffic calming infrastructure should be properly designed and installed in line with engineering standards.

As public debate continues, residents are urging the government to engage communities before removing speed bumps in locations with a history of road crashes and to provide suitable alternatives where necessary.

The Anambra State Government has yet to announce a specific timeline for the removal of existing speed bumps or provide details of the alternative traffic management measures to be introduced.